Garment finishing apparatus



J ly 50 J. H. RICHA ETAL 2,513,427

GARMENT FINISHING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 1947 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zmflentorf John If. R/c/m, e0 Fran/ff. Hanson,

Gitornegs Patented July 4, 1950 2,513,427 GARMENT FINISHING APPARATUS John H. Richa and Frank E. Hanson, Kansas City, Mo.

Application March 10, 194'7, Serial No. 733,576

Claims. (Cl. 22367) 1 v This invention relates to apparatus for shaping, finishing and otherwise conditioning garments, such as coats, and more particularly to a relatively porous bag supported by apparatus comprising a form, the bag being adapted to receive a garment thereover and held in suitable position while steam and/or hot air or other fluid garment conditioning medium is blown outwardly through the bag and garment. Heretofore garment finishing apparatus of different types have been proposed, and this application relates to improvements in such apparatus. It is important in apparatus of this kind that the coat or other garment to be conditioned be shaped in the proper places and not overstretched in certain portions while understretched in others.

The principal objectsof the present invention are to provide a form of this character having a bag adapted to prevent excessive ballooning around the breast and shoulder portions of the garment; to prevent steam from escaping from the front of the garment, such as a coat, and particularly between the lapels thereof during conditioning of the garment; to provide a bag of this character having a strip of impermeable material extendingfrom the neck portion of the form and extending downwardly to lie underneath'the open portion between the lapels of the garment; and to provide means for anchoring the strip of impermeable material to the form.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a bag which may be quickly and easily detached from and attached to the form; to provide means for attaching the bag to the bottom of the form to prevent escape of steam and/or air therefrom; and to provide a clamp in combination with the bag confining means which is simultaneously adjustable automatically to control the shape of the bag near the bottom of the garment.

Other objects of the invention are toprovide a form that is simple and inexpensive to construct and which is readily operated to support a garment over a permeable bag. l I In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: I r v Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a garment finishing machine embodying the features of the present invention with the strip of impermeable material on the front of the bag shown in dotted lines. Y i

i Fig. 2 is a perspective views of the present invention showing a coat supported on the form ready to be conditioned.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of the upper portion of the bag particularly illustrating the straps for resiliently anchoring the front and back of the bag to the form.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the invention as illustrated in Fig. 1 with parts broken away to better illustrate the anchoring means for the impermeable strip in front of the garment and the means for fastening of the bag to the lower portion of the form.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the form particularly illustrating the means for fastening the bag to the form.

Referring'morein detail to the drawings:

l designates a garment finishing apparatus embodying the features of our invention and especially adapted for finishing coats and the like, although the upper portion of dresses may be conditioned if desired. The apparatus includes a base 2 for containing a source of heated air under pressure, such as a motor actuated blower (not shown) steam supply lines and valves (also not shown) for controlling flow of steam and air into a form comprising a hollow post or support 3 projecting upwardly from the base, having mounted upon the upper end of the support 3 by bolts or the like 4 a neck supporting element 5 which includes a neck portion 6, laterally extending shoulders I, a breast portion '8, and back portion 9 generally conforming'to' the corresponding'parts of the wearer of a garment to be finished on the machine. v

The neck element 5 suspendingly supports a permeable bag l0 having the general shape of a garment at the upper portion'thereof and the lower end being open and provided with a drawstring ll asillustrated in Fig. 4. The upper portionof the bag is provided with a neck l2 which extends over the neck element of the support a and includes a breast portion l3, back l4, and

arms Hand "5. I

Secured to the underneath side of the breast portion I3 of the bag and extending over the neck portion I2 is a strip of impermeable material ll secured to the front portion of the bag by stitching or other suitable means as indicated at IS. The back portion IQ of the strip is also secured to the back of the bag as best illustrated in Fig. 3 and this back portion is made of a permeable material. The front portion ll of the strip of material extends to slightly below the breast portion of the bag. The back portion extends to substantially midway of the bag l0 and to the respective corners of the strip l9 are attached coil springs 26. Secured to the lower end of the coil springs 29 are cords, wires or the like 2i having their lower ends secured to the post 3 in any suitable manner as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Attached to the under side of the strip of impermeable material I! by stitching, as indicated at 22 (Fig. 4) or other suitable means, is a strip of permeablemater-ialri-zd. Seouredltothe respective lower corners of the strip"'23- are'coil'springs 24. Attached to the lower ends of the coil springs are cords or wires 25 having their lower ends also *and 43 and thus prevent escape of steam and air secured to the post 3 in any suitable manner as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

A band of sheet material or the flike zti is'secured to the post 3 or a bead formed therein'a short distance above the base;harshest-illustrated I in Fig. 5. The open end 21 of the bag it having the drawstring l I is turned inwardly .-and'- upwardly and the drawstring ll tightened so as to securely? engage the lzpost' -3 .above'the band- 26: to prevent air and steam escaping through the-open end'of the-wba-g as itfloWs through-theipost 3. :The'lower zendof the :bag 1H] is slit and provided withzaizipper 28 "(Fig.- 4) so :as to; provide :a large open end to the bag In to facilitateplacement of theibagiover the form..

: 'A:-*=weight '29 is z'placed in the'loop portion 30 iOf the lower end .of the 'bag to prevent :the :bag ballooning' upwardly rwhen air ":and steam ing plate="3fi1adapted-to engageizthefron-t of-the igarment to beeconditionedwas best illustrated in "Figrfi Ito prevent excessive "ballooning: of the coat 'andssteam" escaping from the" frontwportion 0fthe :lgarment where itabuttonstogge-ther. 'I'shebracket 3-3* engages'- the ring :31 so that when the plate is adjusted on "the" standard cthe "ring will i also be :movedon thebag to confine-the bag -and'prevent undue ba llooningthereof. I 5

:Operation of a ildevice constructed and assembledasdescribedis asfollowsr r 'Arigarment, :such as! a: coat, 436- is first; placed over the bag ID of the form, the arms :lifiand l fi @fthe bag being tucked into the sleeves Stand "38 -of-the'-coat. The =frontof ithe-coat-isethen buttoned, the plate =35 ehaving previously; been pulled away from -therermlby downward-pres- .sure on-.-the=handle '34. --The.iclamping memberris then adjusted z-theqstandard to the desired height-so that the lower end of thetplat 3'5Tw-ill =be-rslightlyebelow the lower v edge of the garment, and manipulation of the handle 34 will :cause the -:plate to *befirmly held (against the front. portion of; the-coat, the coat-,beingaheldbetween the'ba-g r land-the pla-te. .JThe bracket *of the clamping -.mem-beris provided withqs-u-itable .means tor attaching the ring r31 theretorso-that the ring-will will is'infiated.

- Zill-Iot air is for'ced linto' the tubularzzsuppoit :3 and rwillienter-rthelinterior of the bag'through a :plurality::oflongitudinal.znpeningsieilaaround the c therethrough .to facilitate ballooning of the bag and at the same time prevent steam from escapi ing rho-contact the operator of the apparatus. 'aI-hevback portion I9 is madeof permeable mate- ..rialsso that the steam and air will permeate there'through andthrough the bag to the garment. The lower portion 44 of the back strip l9 having the springs attached thereto and anchored-to the tubulanpost :willtend to prevent undue ballooning of the-back of the garment and the :strip 23 .andsprings (24.. attached to .the impermeable strip-l7! will prevent undue ballooningof -the breast portiomof thegarment-iatthe same time providing suflicient resiliency to allow :proper ballooning of the bag and consequently the garment. The weight29in=the bottom .of the bag will prevent the..bag.from climbingup- .wardly when steam or air .is admitted .to the interiori-of the bag, anduthering 3i, being positioned slightly. below the :lower edge-0f the coat -will ,preventmndue ballooning .of the bag ,justbelo-w thelower-edge of .thecoat, tlmspreventingan objectionable --outwardifiare,at the ,lower edge. l'Ilheclamping plate 1 35 -.,will also .prevent undue ballooning and at the same time prevent undesired creases in ..the front ,portion of -.the coat.

e.-hav.e +found. .it :desirable to emit the steam from the .tubular memo-benefit substantially the center of-the .coat to he conditioned or slightly thereaboveas some of .the. steam and air will be emittedflthroughthe openatop .140, .themajorportion, however, entering ,the garment. through the .openingsBBaroundthe. periphery of the tube.

iIt will ..be .apparent, 10f. course, that our invention.-is.not :restrictedto:the .details and particular. structure-.ofapparatus illustrated. Various changes may beemadein this structure as will he :.appar.ent to those skilled in the art-without sacrificing the advantages described. ltewillbe obvious .from theforegoin that we have provided .an improved bag for/conditioning garmentssuchlas coats,-. to..prevent undue ballooning-thereof and prevent escapeof steam and between Lthe lapels of the coat, as welluasva hagwhichq-may be quickly and easily removed from'l-therjform for replacement or repair.

WhatWeIclaim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1.. An ,apparatusifor finishing garments having anoplen portion therein, a form having abreast andIback portion, a flexible, permeable covering for said form, means for ,dis'charginga .fluid medium. inside said covering, and means engagingsaiidcovering adapted. to imd-erlie said open portion .ofjithe garment underneath said covering to, prevent the fluid medium from. escaping therethrough.

,2. Ant-apparatus for finishing.garmentshaving an ropen'po-rtionea f'orm'having abreast. and back portion, a flexible, a permeable covering for i said form, meansro-r discharging .a fluid mediumim side said covering, and means engaging the inside of; said coverings; adaptewto --underlie:zsaid open pc' 1'ti0n of the garment underneath said covering to prevent the fluid medium from escaping therethrough.

13; An apparatus for finishing garments having anppen breastpoition, a form having a breast and backportion, a flexible ,,permeable covering forsaid form, means for discharging a'fluid medium inside said covering, and means engaging the inside of said covering adapted to underlie said open' breast portion of the garment undernjeath said covering to preventthe fluid medium fro'm'escapingtherethrough. ,f4. An apparatus for finishing garments having anop'en portion, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable covering for said form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said .covering, means engaging said covering adapted ,to underlie said open portion of the garment underneath said covering to prevent the fluid medium from escaping therethrough, and resilient means engaging said form and said firstnamed means for limiting inflation of the bag around the breast and back portion of the garment.

5. An apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast portion, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bagl covering said form, meansfor discharging a ,fluidmedium inside said bagto inflate the same,

astrip of material extending over the breast'portion of said form underneath said bag, said strip being of impermeable material and adapted to underlie the open breast portion of the coat, and means engaging the ends of said strip and said form for limiting inflation of said bag around the breast portion.

6. An apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast portion, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bag covering said form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said bag to inflate the same, a strip of material extending over the breast and back portions of said form underneath said bag, the breast portion of said strip being of impermeable material and adapted to underlie the open breast portion of the coat, and means engaging the ends of said strip and said-form for limiting inflation of said bag around the breast and back portions.

'7. An apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast portion, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bag covering said form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said bag to inflate the same, a strip of material extending over the breast and back portions of said for-m underneath said bag, the breast portion of said strip being of impermeable material and adapted to underlie the open breast portion of the coat, and resilient means engaging the ends of said strip and said form for limiting inflation of said bag around the breast and back portions.

8. An apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast portion, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bag covering said form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said bag to inflate the same, a strip of material extending over the breast and back portions of said form underneath said bag, the breast portion of said strip being ofimpermeable material and adapted to underlie the open breast portion of the coat, and coil springs engaging the ends of said strip and said form for limiting inflation of said bag around the breast and back portions.

apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast'portion, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bag covering said form, means for discharging 'a fluid medium inside said bag to inflate the same, a strip of material extending over the breast and back portions of said formflunderneath said bag, the breast portion' of said strip being of impermeable material and adapted to underlie the open breast portion of the coat, means engaging the ends of said strip and said form for limiting the inflation of said bag around the breast and back portions, and'means engaging saidbag below said coat to limit the inflation of said bag to prevent outward flare of the bottom of said'coat. ,10. An apparatus for finishing coats orthe like having an open breast portion, a support, a form having a breast and back portion, an'inflatable, permeable bag having an open'bottom for cover ing said 'form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said bag toinflate the same, means on said open end of the bag for fastening the bag to the support, a strip of material extending over the breast and back portions of said "form under n'eath saidbag, the breast portion of said strip being of impermeable material and adapted to un derlie the open'breast portion of the'coat, and means engaging the ends of said strip and said form for limiting the inflation of said bag around the breast and back portions.

11'. An apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast portion, a support, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bag having an open bottom for covering said form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said bag to inflate the same, means on said open end of the bag for fastening the bag to the support, a strip of material extending over the breast and back portions of said form underneath said bag, the breast portion of said strip being of impermeable material and adapted to underlie the open breast portion of the coat, means engaging the ends of said strip and said form for limiting the inflation of said bag around the breast and back portions, and means engaging said bag below said coat tolimit the inflation of said bag to prevent outward flare of the bottom of said coat.

12. An apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast portion, a support, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bag having an open bottom for covering said form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said bag t inflate the same, means on said open end of the bag for fastening the bag to the support, a strip of material extending over the breast and back portions of said form underneath said bag, the breast portion of said strip being of impermeable material and adapted to underlie the open breast portion of the coat, means engaging the ends of said strip and said form for limiting the inflation of said bag around the breast and back portions, means engaging said bag below said coat to limit the inflation of said bag to prevent outward flare of the bottom of said coat, said open end of the bag being split, and a zipper fastener for said slit whereby opening of the zipper wfill facilitate placement of the bag over the form.

13. An apparatus for finishing coats or the like having an open breast portion, a form having a breast and back portion, an inflatable, permeable bag covering said form, means for discharging a fluid medium inside said bag to inflate the same, a strip of material extending over the breast-and-.back :portionsref said form underneath said-:bag; thebreast portion of said strip being.- of. impermeable material and zadapted-ito -underlie the open ,breast portionof the goat, meansengagin the:endsofv saidz-strip and saidwform zfonlimiting the inflation of said E bag: aroundthe breast and back;portions,- means engaging-said, bag below said-ooatto lim-itgthe inflation of-,-said bag-.to:;preventioutward-vfiare Off the bottom of saidlcoat, and clamping means to holdthe ailower hportion of .ia garmentgplaced over zsaidybag.

'14. An apparatus for-finishing coatszonthelike having anopembreastmortion, a form includin -rad support having abreast and :back portion, aniinflatable, permeablezbagcoveringsaidiorm, means fomdischarginga fluid=medium insidesaidibagto inflate the --same, astrip ore-material extending over the breast ,and back portions ofrsaid l form underneath said-bag, the? breast -portion of said strip being of impermeable imaterial and adapted to underlie the ppm breast portiomof the-moat, resilient means engaging the ends: of said strip and. said support for limiting the: inflation -ofisaid bag aroundthe breastiand baok iportionarmeans engaging said bag Jcaelowv said coat to limit: the inflation. :of said-bag 'to prevent outward flare of the bottom of said ooat,.-and .c1amping means-J20 hold the lower portion ofi a garment plaoed over said-bag.

15. An apparatus fornfin-ishingvcoats or-the like havingz an open. breast portion,F a support, a form spectiye -oorners ofr-theen ds: of said. strip and said support for .-,lirniting..tne inflation of said-bag around the breast and ,backportions,;,means gaging saidbag below said coat to limit ,the inflation of-saidbag to prevent. outward flare {of the bottom .of .said ooat, i-ind r clampjng neans to -.hold ,the lower; portion of .a garment planed over, ,said bag,

a I HANSON.

streamers oIrEn ffihe' foilowing;-references are of reoord file of *this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name \D te 7,

2,378,565 ,e-Lockeleteal ,June,19, e s 73 ,4 ,4 B wen .-X H--- Oct. 3? .9 .7 

